June 18, 2025 • 35 mins
Raider Nick goes deep with Zac Hosking.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
He's not here for the clickbait, all the couchside critics.
He's the man in front of the screen, from behind
the scenes of the gram. It's real and full of
deep and meaningfuls with the Raiders in a circle, from
laughs to hard truth. He'll tell you ditch the negative
(00:21):
noise and get behind the boys.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
This is Raider Nick. How you doing. We're back season
twenty twenty five. Hello out there, It's been a minute,
hasn't it. Look I've been quite busy with some other
projects that have finally finished, finally done, and now we
can get excited for the run home for season twenty
(00:45):
twenty five. Look where we are, peopaul. How great is
it to be alive? How great is it to be
a Camber Raider supporter? Absolutely flying at the moment and
with Origin just about to finish up, we're going to
have a run home which could put us into the
top four home final. But people are already starting to
(01:06):
tick over the drawer and think, wow, win win, win win.
But just take one week at a time. Let's pull
the old cliches out, but let's enjoy one week at
a time. It's been an absolute party this year. Let's
keep the party going, of course, just finishing up Pappa's
three nineteenth not that long ago, the emotion coming out
(01:29):
of that. Let's just keep the highs flying and just
enjoy the podcast is back rated. Nickodknight is back talking
to the greatness of the Canberraders, past president, future. Let's
just get straight into this one. The return episode, I
catch up with Zach Hoskin, who's about to resign and
(01:51):
extend his time in the Canberraiders. We talk about his
time in Canberra so far, the highs of this year
and what's changed to get here. We talk about Jed
Stewart about to make his debut, the fourth father son
combination for the Canberraders and quite a significant one. Also
(02:11):
talk about the qualities that he saw at Penrith, which
were premiership winning qualities and the similarities in what's developing
here at the Canberraders. Sit back and relax and enjoy
a Raider Nick at Night. Zach Hoskin, let's go get
it hostco how I mate. Good to catch up to
get to get your back on the airways. Mate. But
(02:32):
first of all, you mentioned the freezing cold is freezing.
We've hit that freezing period in Canberra, how you're traveling,
and now you've been here for a while before I
ask you about the footy, the lifestyle in Canberra, how
is it? And then how do you deal with his cold?
Speaker 3 (02:48):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (02:48):
I actually said, actually said last year a few times
that I was actually expecting worse. I was probably the first,
my first camera winner. Yeah, it was expecting. I don't know,
I don't know what I was expecting, but I didn't
find it too bad. But the start of this one
is hit.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
Me pretty hard. I've actually.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
Been out the golf course today and the cold wind
that came through cut straight through.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
So it's violating, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
Yeah? Yeah, yeah, but that's just the way it is here.
Speaker 4 (03:22):
And you would you dress up, you know, appropriately to
the weather and you warm your house up.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
It's cozy though, and I mean you're right, it's a
little bit colder than last year. But we got an
extended period after a day of some really nice days,
so we're kind of paying back that debt.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
Now, Yeah, I.
Speaker 4 (03:42):
Was actually, Yeah, I'll say that because you know, all
the locals here say, you know, exact the time it changes,
But we actually, like you said, we've got a few
more weeks out of it.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Yeah, it's good.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
Hopefully it all balances out, mate. I was fortunate enough.
I want to ask you about the whole puppa day
a few weeks. That was the last time we played
before we move into next week with another deputante, which
is I can't wait to talk to you about. But
I met your old man and your brother and then
the shed. It was a bit of a who's who
everyone got amongst the day. It was great to see
a lot of the old boys that I hadn't seen
in a while, to see a Soliola's, the Michael Oldfields,
(04:17):
the the the tiny Milfords of the world. It was
great to catch up with them. But had a great
had a great chat with your old man.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
Yeah, he's yeah, it was.
Speaker 4 (04:28):
It was a very very special day and so we
Chris actually made a really good point just before we
ran out that we none of us will probably play
in the game with that sort of milestone over again.
So you know, it was a great reminder that, you know,
to do everything can to get the win for Papa,
and obviously his performance and the team's performance speaks for itself.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
On that day.
Speaker 4 (04:52):
You know, Papa's two tries kicked his own goal, slotted it.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
The crowd turned up in numbers. It was freezing. The
atmosphere was unreal and it was a great day to
be a part of.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
It was freezing, it was raining, It was pretty much
all the worst possible conditions, but they just took a
took a side seat to the game in itself. Do
you feel something out there when you've played in some
games You've obviously you've played in a successful unit with
your previous club where you've got these stars like you
(05:24):
would have been involved with, like the Clearies and the
lue Eyes and and that kind of that. That that
Penrith Spine that were just class that the Zas and
all those guys, and you're probably sitting here thinking, wow,
there's magic going on on the field at the moment.
There was a magic that Sunday afternoon, wasn't there.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
Yeah? Absolutely.
Speaker 4 (05:45):
Actually, when my partner called me, she was away for
that game, but I spoke to her after the game
and I said, well, that's probably my favorite Aneral game
I've played in. Was right up there with my debut
up in Brisbane. Was just Yeah, it was just a
special feeling all day and I think the way we
won as well. Is pretty it's pretty consistent with the
(06:08):
way we've been winning throughout the whole year as well,
with being behind early and then showing a lot of
character and coming back late. Just sort of fit the
whole script of the day. And yeah, I wouldn't have
have wanted it any other way, to be.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Honest, knowing Papa, he would have not made it about himself.
He would have deflected every opportunity to do so, and
to make it about the win, and obviously make it
about Maddy T's one hundredth and let's just say Big
Red's unofficial hundred. He'll get there in a couple of
weeks for Raiders' caps. But did you guys get behind
his back to make it about him with the conversations,
(06:43):
surely there would have been.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
Yeah, there were definitely definitely conversations during the during the
week and even the week before, Like once he got
through the Rooster's game where he equaled Tutz's record, it
was sort of you know, this week's going to be
the week that he breaks the record, and there was
a lot of emotion throughout the week with his jersey
(07:05):
presentation was done by the previous record Hodder and Jackie Croker,
and he got quite emotional when he was presenting.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Uh he's Papa earlier in the week and.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Which I've never seen before, No known, I've known it's
seen you for a long time. And he's just a
knocker and we all know he's a knock around kind
of bloke and just a really cool guy and loves
loves to celebrate, but you know, loves to be serious.
But I've never seen him in tears like that, and
it was just, it was it was just quite I
fell off my chair to see. Wow, how much it
(07:37):
meant to him and how much of this is generating
amongst the club but also the past guys as well.
Speaker 4 (07:44):
Yeah, totally, And it's that's just a feeling around here
at the moment, like everyone cares so much, and you know,
for someone like Papa, who is probably the most loved
per some player within the club and throughout the NRL
as well, not just you're in Canberrall like he's a
very love character and like you said, he's he wouldn't
(08:05):
have made that about himself and if he was the
only one that knew, we probably wouldn't have told anyone
that he who made that record that's the sort of
guy he is, and I love playing with him.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Is he one of your favorites? Are you playing with?
Speaker 3 (08:19):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (08:19):
Absolutely, I'm not a courage I don't have to say
fits I'm not allowed to. I'd have to say that
I don't know Farius, but he's definitely up there.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Yeah. What have you learned from him? Just in his presence,
Like you've you've come to the club a couple of years,
you've got to really bunk in with him now, specially
in that forward pack. What have you learned from him?
And Papa's the kind of guy where he won't sit
there and teach her. Just his presence just illuminates all
kinds of knowledge, doesn't it, Not just about football but
(08:48):
about life as well, it isn't he?
Speaker 3 (08:50):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (08:51):
Absolutely, Like he's he's a that he's the word sort
of aura now and he's just got that aura that
sort of floats around Hi wherever he goes.
Speaker 3 (08:59):
And some that I've learned from him.
Speaker 4 (09:01):
Like now that I've sort of I've moved into that
sort of leadership sort of space within the club, I.
Speaker 3 (09:08):
Know, I know how he checks him with some of
the younger.
Speaker 4 (09:11):
Guys away from away from the training field and sends
in texts and stuff like that.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
And that's something that.
Speaker 4 (09:20):
I found out about him recently that he does, And yeah,
I really admire that about him because if I was
a young guy receiving that sort of message from him,
I'll be pretty toughed. Or even if it's something that,
you know, something that needed fixing come from someone like him,
I'd absolutely do that. So that's something that you know,
(09:42):
he's a guy that when he speaks, everyone listens, you know.
Speaker 2 (09:46):
So yeah, totally. And he's been there, you know, like
he was the kid from Point zand probably getting homesick
and he had to deal with that. You know, he's
been very vocal and very you know, it meets to
some of the eras that he made in his career
as well, and that he's learned from that. And you
don't judge him on that because he's such a beautiful character.
(10:08):
And when it comes to advice, he's just the man
because he's done done at all. He's made a little mistakes,
he's all mopped all that stuff up, but he's just
achieved so much and he's just a wonderful commodity, not
to the Raiders but to the NRL and that's why
it was pretty much a spotlight. It was on him
from the whole round, which was great.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
Yeah, no, it was good.
Speaker 4 (10:30):
And to be honest, he spent the whole time thanking
everyone else, which is you know, just shows his character
as well.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
We're just talking to Tony Milford have mentioned here he
jumped on a plane and brought his whole family down
back to Canberra from Brisbane. That just shows that Papa's
worthy of doing that. To stop your plans. He still plays,
you know Q Cup as well, he plays for Logan,
so he's still got football. On the weekend, he packed
up his family and they spent the weekend in Canberra
(10:59):
to sell at Papa. You know, Michael Oldfield sees solely
all of these other guys that were around as well.
That's you know, that's that was Papa worthy. And you
saw on his three hundredths we had pretty much triple.
We had you know, we had Jack White and come down,
I've got another club now. We had you know, Josh Hodson,
all those players, Blaky Austin, they all came down for Papa.
(11:21):
And it wasn't when you hear about Papa, it's not
it's not why it's when yeah, exactly, wonderful mate. I
just got to ask, and I've had some good conversations
amongst the playing group about this year. What do you
put your finger on it? Now? I will say we
are flying, and I mean that in regards to when
(11:44):
you go through the big preseason and you kind of
look ahead a little bit and say, Okay, where do
we want to be? What can this year look like
for us? After the half year mark, we are sitting
equal first, if you will second, a wonderful start to
the season. How are you feeling? I asked Ricky how
he felt about this personally, and he I could sell
(12:07):
he's doing cartloels in his head. How are you feeling, Hostco.
Speaker 3 (12:13):
I'm feeling I'm feeling great. I feel like we've we've.
Speaker 4 (12:18):
We've done a really good job to put ourselves in
this position for this period of the of the year,
especially with all that travel behind us.
Speaker 3 (12:28):
I'm sure it's sticky.
Speaker 4 (12:29):
You might have brought it off, you know, Las Vegas
just as kick off. We've been a Brisbane, Townsville, Darwin,
Gold Coast a few times, we've been in New Zealand,
like all within the first half of the season, we
have no buyers in between all that and.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
The only team.
Speaker 3 (12:47):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:48):
When I saw Sticky that day, he looked exhausted and
he was fluy. And it wasn't cold flu, it was
rundown flu. And I saw Taps the next day with
his family and boys haven't really been postgame interviews with
TRIPLEM and whatnot that I do with you boys, And
it was more like, it's not really fatigue. Some people
(13:08):
like Taps that have young families, they miss their kids
because of all the travel, and can that can break you,
you know, especially on the road. Yeah, but you just
bound together and it was just and this is this
is the total honesty. And this was myself included and
speaking to people from the club. And it wasn't negative
thinking it was like out of care for you boys.
(13:30):
It was thinking, Jesus going to take a big effort
to go to New Zealand and beat the Warriors. From
all the travel, we can we can actually have some
lattitude to the boys, the boys can you know, we're
probably happy if the boys don't get the w you know,
because of the travel, as long as we compete, you know,
and then even against the roosters. But you boys have
been surprising us. You just keep finding more, and like
(13:53):
I said, it's not a negative thing, it's just like
a really realistic thing because out of care and how
to laugh, we can we can live with the if
we don't go to New Zealand and don't get the
two points against the Warriors. Warriors are probably the team
for them as well. But to go out there and
to play so physical and go up another level and
just to keep finding these extra gears what's been most
impressive hist goes. He has been finding these extra ways
(14:14):
to win, putting teams to the sword, these grinds against
these big teams, coming from behind so many times, all
these different gears yous have got.
Speaker 4 (14:22):
Now, Yeah, and that's just that's the growth that we've
spoken about within within the group.
Speaker 3 (14:28):
You know, when when we are down on.
Speaker 4 (14:30):
The scoreboard, it's when a trop goes in in recent time,
in recent years, it's those tries have compounded from the
other team.
Speaker 3 (14:38):
And now we've we've we don't panic.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
We've got our processes that we've figured out and we've
shown that if we go back there and stick to it,
we can we can win those games when we're behind
and we're not we don't want to be in those positions,
but sometimes that's just the way it is.
Speaker 3 (14:54):
It's how it works out.
Speaker 4 (14:55):
You know, the bounce to the ball that might not
go away, that for the first a game. And yeah,
I think that growth that we've showed and being able
to fight our way back into games is a massive
sort of string to your bow. If you're a team
that can do that, we get through those tough periods.
And I guess having those games this year that it
(15:20):
has happened, it will help us later in the year
if semi fall time, because that's when the score boards
much closer, and we know we can edge teams out
if we stick to what we do well.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
You've had You've had finals type of games all years
so far. Like and I go back to the Dolphins game,
that felt like a finals kind of game to form teams.
You know, the expert commentators that I was dealing with
in the Sydney Triple en call I we're talking about
it has semi final feel. Obviously, the Warriors game. I
mentioned that the Bulldogs game, we didn't get the W
(15:53):
but it was you know, we we we kind of
Jesus we hadn't beat at halftime and then you talk
about these other games where roosters were coming at us,
you know, the Sharks, the storm. How could we forget
the storm at Magic Round up there in those conditions
and they had to skip away on us as well.
Just it's been outstanding. What's the difference A couple of
(16:15):
the boys have said their pieces, But what's the difference
you've found amongst the group on the field around the
place that's different to last year, previous years since you've
been here.
Speaker 3 (16:29):
Yeah, I don't know. It's hard to put your finger
on exactly the one thing that it is. But if
I had to say, if I had to say anything,
I think we're going to give.
Speaker 4 (16:40):
Our coaches a lot of credit in the clarity that
we have for all the different systems that we have,
whether that's right from you know, an attacking system, what
we do when we get to this spot defensive system,
what we do if this happens, you know, I mean,
all our processes and things when we stick to it
(17:03):
do really well.
Speaker 3 (17:03):
Which sounds very generic, but.
Speaker 4 (17:05):
It's also you know, when we score a try, we
have a process of what we do before the kickoff.
When they score a try, we have our training week
is very consistent, as in the sessions are you know,
two days out from a game of Captain Drun whatever.
Those days look the same every week, depending which which
(17:28):
training date is. So there's consistency and everything that we're doing,
and that's just flowing straight into our results at the moment.
Speaker 3 (17:36):
I think a lot.
Speaker 4 (17:37):
Of the boys would say that that summer that we
had the pre season was one of the hardest a
lot of us have done, as.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
In the fitness as in the fitness.
Speaker 4 (17:46):
Aspect, fitness aspect, yeah, yeah, yeah, and even you know,
the whole.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
Thing even hard.
Speaker 4 (17:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
I wasn't here when he was here, but I've heard
some stories.
Speaker 4 (18:02):
But yeah, I think also not to mention some of
the players that we've brought in, like I've been extremely
impressed by sav Sevilio Tamala.
Speaker 3 (18:14):
Who is now.
Speaker 4 (18:17):
Injured his knee, which presents a great opportunity for some
like Jeddy, which I'm sure I'll ask about, but you know,
sound like him, who's who's really really stepped up this year.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
I think what I've noticed too, and seeing this group
pretty much you know, this this mob, this core of
this roster now hostco which that you've added to in
the last couple of years. You mentioned that it appears
to me that the game plans and the systems have
been simplified a little bit. It's simplified and given you
the space now for all the individuals in that team
(18:53):
to really bring their talent come forward. Because he's a
very well old at the moment. We've seen Ethan Strangey,
how he's just come out of his shell now and
really blossomed as a first grade footballer. What he's doing
there at six. You know, Maddie t and Zebe that
you mentioned outstanding talents. You know obviously Matti Te's international
that will be the first to two as well. They
(19:13):
probably didn't have the season that they wanted to have
last season, but they've really stepped up this year. Look
at Kaio at the back there, he's probably one of
our main sources of attack. You mentioned to Marley Xavier
Savage made his dead sit knocking on the door for
a Queen's opportunity in the next couple of years. I'm
sure it will come. Mate. We've got the best four
back in the competition. And I say that with then,
(19:36):
with or without green Eyes. And it's like the simplicity
of the game plan now is allowing the brilliance of
everyone to really shine forward, not just individually but obviously
as a team collectively. Look at Red Redsbury outstanding at
the start, Taps is always playing his wonderful role and
without embarrassing yourself, mate, you're punching out nearly eighty minutes.
Speaker 3 (19:55):
Mate, Yeah, yeah, I think.
Speaker 4 (19:59):
And as you go through that, you know everyone just
everyone's just pulling their weight. You know, no one's it's
not like a relying on a superstar to get us
out of trouble or Winn's games points on the scoreboard.
Speaker 3 (20:10):
You know, everyone's pulling their weight and doing their job.
Speaker 4 (20:12):
And you know it takes takes seventeen eighteen men on
the day to get you to win. And everyone's pulling
their weight at the moment. Everyone's blind into what Stick
is promoting. And like you said, the simpler, the simpler
game plan, they're easier it is to execute. And just
the other thing I think as well, to answer your
(20:34):
question before, was because of all the travel and stuff
we've had, that means it's it's made us spend a
lot of time together, a lot of down time together, traveling,
playing cards, playing games, you know, taking taking the piss
out of each other like that creates you know so much, Yeah, exactly,
(20:55):
And they're the players that you want to play for
a lot of players you're going to make an extra
effort for. And you know that's I think that's another
reason why less of the closest group this group's ever been.
Speaker 2 (21:10):
That's the thing about the Raiders is the fact that Okay,
there's there's not huge amounts of activities to do in
Canbra as a town, especially during the cold winter, so
that just leaves so basically, someone living in Canberra, you
kind of rely on your mates to do for entertainment
(21:32):
and to stimulation. You know, you guys love going to golf,
you go the movies and he's been away a lot.
The Raiders are one of the most harmonious themes in
the competition. And I talk about that because I know
a lot of the boys that have left the club
and for whatever reason and they've gone to other clubs
and now finished, and they always talk about how the
Raiders they missed the Raiders, they should have left Canberra
(21:53):
because the Raiders are were the most It was such
so family orientated and it was like this brotherhood. Yeah,
it's different in Sydney. You've got guys living all over
Sydney that come together, whereas you all live about ten
fifteen minutes a way. But there's something special that creates
here when you start winning. It's hard to break.
Speaker 3 (22:12):
Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 4 (22:13):
You know, I've had a similar conversation.
Speaker 3 (22:15):
With someone earlier in the week.
Speaker 4 (22:16):
You know, the winning the winning winning games solves a
lot of solves a lot of problems and.
Speaker 3 (22:23):
Makes for a very happier environment.
Speaker 4 (22:25):
Like it's you know, we all love bouncing into the
building at the moment because we just love each other's
company and we we're loving the work that we're doing.
We're training, we're training the house down up. Our sessions
are you know, twice as intense as they've been before
and we're getting so much more.
Speaker 3 (22:42):
Out of them.
Speaker 4 (22:42):
And that's that's driven a lot by you know, leaders
within the club, but also the coaches, and like I
said before, the coaches.
Speaker 3 (22:50):
Is have a massive wrap for the way they have
structured our weeks.
Speaker 2 (22:57):
Does winning become a habit? Is it a habit? Is
it a feeling that you're chase even if you're down.
Is it like I don't want to get that feeling again?
Chasing the feeling or you're chasing the two points or both.
Speaker 3 (23:10):
Yeah, definitely definitely chasing both.
Speaker 4 (23:14):
Yeah, I do believe winning is a habit, you know,
it's a good habit to have.
Speaker 3 (23:20):
I think also losing it as well, so been on
the right side of that.
Speaker 4 (23:25):
It's obviously the way you want to go and the
habits that you create during the week at training, when
you're traveling. Like I was talking about the fall, all
of processes, they all contribute to that result. And we
don't we're not looking too far ahead. We are aware that,
you know where that people are starting to talk about.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
Our run home and.
Speaker 4 (23:48):
And that's it looks like a looks like a pretty
pretty nice done home. But they're the danger games that
crap up on you, and they're the games that.
Speaker 3 (24:00):
We need to win.
Speaker 2 (24:02):
And the coaches, a new part of the leadership group there,
want to allow any complacency or any funny thoughts about
that because it is the NRL and unfortunately this game
it can go. It can go. Bottom is up and
all it takes is a couple of injuries. We've already
lost sav which is heartbreaking for him but also heartbreaking
(24:22):
for us, but which leads me to ask for this
week now. I chatted to him after the last game
and obviously the cut the new souths Cup team played
after first grade. Very strange, how that does that? That's
the TV the TV stuff. Jad Stewart, wonderful kid. I've
(24:44):
seen the kid go up since he was since he
was literally a kid, and now he's running around, you know,
playing playing grade for the Raiders and jud to circumstances,
debuts and becomes the fourth father son combination at this club.
But what a significant one.
Speaker 4 (25:01):
Yeah, it was probably the one of the most significant,
you know, in the in the game's issue, given how
how much Ricky Stewart's made an impact on rugby league
and for his son to d big debuting under him
is a massive moment in the game's history.
Speaker 3 (25:20):
And it's a It's a debut that's very well deserved
as well.
Speaker 4 (25:23):
It's Sticky was actually quite hesitant on making the call
and he sort of he didn't really make it.
Speaker 3 (25:31):
To be honest, He left it up to to Taps
and Papa.
Speaker 4 (25:38):
And a few of us other guys had spoken about
it as well, because we knew someone had to take
that spot. Sord was going to be out for a
few months, so I think I think Sticky probably knew
it was the right call, but just I think him
being if he wasn't his son, he probably would have
made it pretty.
Speaker 3 (25:56):
Easily, but naturally it was.
Speaker 4 (26:00):
It was a tougher for him to do and I
think once he had that validation from somebody sending members,
it was a much bigger relief for him. And I
think he let Tat to make the call to him,
which was pretty cool.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
That's what's so appealing about this now, is that that
kind of awkward situation there is. Ricky's handed it over
to other coaches and the senior leadership boys to make
the decision. The decision has been made, and if there's
anyone that needs someone to help him guide him through
(26:35):
the weekend getting ready for this game, it's it's his
dad and his coach.
Speaker 4 (26:42):
Yeah well yeah yeah, And to be honest, we had
his you know, every time there's a debut at this club,
the club put on a big lunch for all the
footy staff and all the players from the whole squad,
which I think is an unreal that they do.
Speaker 3 (27:01):
But Sticky stayed well, he was obviously there, but he
didn't get near a microphone. He left it up to Uh,
Sticky left it up to his dad and his wife.
Speaker 2 (27:12):
Yeah, I saw that. That was emotional in itself.
Speaker 4 (27:15):
Yeah, and he's and his brother, his brother who presented
his jersey in the end, and that was pretty cool,
pretty cool things. So you can tell he's he's keeping
his distance from it, but at the same time he'd
be absolutely loving it.
Speaker 3 (27:29):
He'd also probably be very nervous about the whole thing too.
Speaker 2 (27:34):
Well, that's Ricky's just such a genuine cat, you know,
And I love how he just gets so emotional talking
about you boys. He loves you boys like he loves
his own kids.
Speaker 3 (27:44):
You know.
Speaker 2 (27:45):
He gets emotional about you guys when he talks. Yeah,
he talks, he talks about you. He loves you boys
like you you're you're his own kids. And that's why
he's going to be an absolute emotional wreck on Friday
because one of his boys is actually playing for the club.
So it's just it's going to be interesting to see
how Sticky deals with it. And it's just going to
(28:05):
be pure emotion, which is what I love because we're
all cut like that, we're all raiders people, we're all
emotional passionate people. Now we just can't see how it unfolds.
How is it? How has it been? How's it been
with all this going on this week?
Speaker 3 (28:20):
Well, to be honest, we've only had the one session.
Speaker 4 (28:22):
We're back in tomorrow, but I think it got sort
of sort of got leaked, I think before we went
in yesterday for training, and.
Speaker 3 (28:33):
You know, everyone just wrapped for him.
Speaker 4 (28:35):
Everyone knows he's so deserving of this opportunity, and it's
it's a great opportunity because Sad is going to be
out for a few months and Jenny's got the chance
to make that spot his own for a while and
really establish himself and get some NRL under his belt.
Speaker 3 (28:53):
And we're all really back him.
Speaker 4 (28:56):
A few of us have been calling in the Velcrow
because everything he every decision to make here, he Tackley
goes in there.
Speaker 3 (29:02):
He sticks to it on the wing there, so it's
it's plus his hair looks like bel Crow.
Speaker 2 (29:10):
He's on stilts to if he if Jamma can put
a few high balls in his corner mate, he's he's
gonna be hard to hard to stop.
Speaker 4 (29:18):
Yeah, he's certainly a kicking target. He's taller than me.
He's leaning but he's he's a hard worker. He'll he'll
he'll put his body on the line for everyone, and
that's what we love about him.
Speaker 2 (29:32):
It's great and he's in great hands obviously with his
old man there and his coach, but obviously you boys
around him, we're getting ready and get him confident. And
he's just a lovely guy, just a lovely kid. It's
almost he's his own character too. He's not. He's not
like a you don't really see him as sticky son.
You just see him as chat That's what's so great
about it too.
Speaker 4 (29:53):
Yeah, he's actually quite a funny character. He's he's got
to be he's got to be a lip to him,
which I like, he's pretty funny that in that regard.
But he's got that from his father too.
Speaker 2 (30:07):
Great. How's it been there before I let you go
and rest art for the big one on Friday? How's
the break been?
Speaker 3 (30:14):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (30:14):
Break that momentum and all of a sudden boom. I
mean that's a slog. That would have been such a
big slog to achieve what you guys have achieved and
again beating quality of opposition in tough circumstances, but just
to keep winning how's the stopping play being for you?
Speaker 3 (30:32):
Yeah, it was. It was.
Speaker 4 (30:33):
It was good timing, to be honest, like, we're really
proud of the way we started. Like I said before,
but it was good timing. A lot of us got
a way to Sitty and some of us went back home.
I went back home to Newcastle for five days. It
was great to reconnect with my family and friends. But
we also made a point of when we when we
did come back to training yesterday, we got together and
we had a really.
Speaker 3 (30:55):
Good chat about not letting that break.
Speaker 4 (31:00):
At the start of our week and ruin our preparations
because we've had a few days off and the club
are really good to give us that time off, but
now we've got to repay them with another good week.
And then we went out we had a really good
training session, So we need to do that again tomorrow
and for the rest of the week leading into the
game and especially we've got another milestone and we're going
to win.
Speaker 2 (31:19):
For Jetty Hosco, you were at Penrith and you know
what it's like for a DNA and what a club
looks like to win a premiership, and it includes the
habits on the field, off the field, the competing at
every play, the competing in the eightieth minute compared to
(31:39):
what you know, what it's like to be in a
winning formula. Are you seeing some marry some marriage, some
marrying up here sub merging and what you're seeing now
the Raiders.
Speaker 3 (31:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (31:50):
Absolutely. We've actually made a massive point on in our
reviews of all the what we call Dean Lance contributions.
Who's obviously the next player who And he was a
player that basically was extremely selfless on the field. He
did a lot of things that you never see on
the stat sheet, and we do we start that within
(32:13):
our building. We like we like to give credit to
the boys and highlight some of the massive efforts that
they've done that week during the game where it might
not have been noticed by people in the grand stand,
but it made a massive difference because of this reason.
And that's I think been way more promoted this year
(32:33):
at this club. And you don't want to be you
don't want to be coming into review and you're the
guy that didn't make that effort when you could have,
or or you want to be the guy that does
get the rap for doing something that has helped everyone else.
And I think that's been a massive help, and I
think it's such a good thing to highlight to all
(32:53):
the players that you know, it's not really scored on
the tries or put on the big hits.
Speaker 3 (32:59):
That is wanted.
Speaker 4 (33:03):
It's obviously wanted, but it's held in much high regard.
That's just as I regard as someone who's doing such
a small effort that all adds up the one percent
as everyone talks about, well, and then the things that
that Penrith like you're asking, that's what that's What's something
that they were really really good at, And I think, yeah,
(33:25):
the club has done such a good job of making
that a priority this year.
Speaker 2 (33:29):
And the beauty of that is, you boys haven't changed.
Jesus to me, he's exactly the same as you were
last year at the start of the year with all
this Sydney hype. Now when everyone's talking about the Raiders. Now,
finally it takes us to do this to actually get
on the map in the big leagues. But the fact
(33:50):
that there's this talk about the Raiders now in our
all three sixty, it's always at the start and it's
kind of on the radar. Now, you guys haven't changed
the boot mate, and that's what's so.
Speaker 4 (34:01):
Yeah, but I think we've got a coach and won't
let us get ahead of ourselves.
Speaker 2 (34:06):
So that's also too though. You know, it's also you
guys as well, and that's why I'm quite confident going
into this second phase of the season, to the post
origin part, the run home to the finals, which people
have been mate, people bail me up and say, oh mate,
we're going to get minor premiers. Mate, We've got We've
(34:27):
got a soft draw. I got a soft draw. Its
like just week two week, guys, just week to week,
rite it. Just enjoy each week and write it out.
And I just know the boys aren't getting ahead of
themselves because they've got they're all good boys. They're all
level headed to begin with, and the coaches wiren't allow
that and there's trust in there and it's going to
be a wonderful ride whatever happens. But it's been a
(34:49):
beautiful ride so far. Hostco and mate, good to talk
to you again. And I didn't know you had a brother, mate,
good blake your brother.
Speaker 4 (34:57):
Yeah, well one was the postman's kid, because I'm go,
I'm sure you would have saw it. We don't look
anything alike and he looks much small wild man than
I do.
Speaker 2 (35:07):
It's me, it's good in your old man, mate. He's
he's he's a manly boy and he gets invited to
Newcastle boxes. Mate. But it's a bit of a little
bit of green starting to bleed in that blood, mate.
Speaker 4 (35:19):
Yeah, yeah, tried to transition him. Although if you did,
verse merely wouldn't be surprised if he come over with
his manly shirt on.
Speaker 3 (35:27):
But I think he's pumping yeah, yeah, he's pumping green.
Speaker 2 (35:32):
Now all rightsco good luck. I'll see you around, mate,
But good luck against the tigers and let's get home.
Speaker 3 (35:37):
For jet mate, Yeah, let's do it. Cheers, see you mate,
He's not here for the clickbait, all the couchside critics.
He's the man in front of the screen, from behind
the scenes of the gram. It's real and full of
deep and meaningfuls with the Raiders in a circle, from
laughs to hard truth. He'll tell you ditch the negative
(00:21):
noise and get behind the boys.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
This is Raider Nick. How you doing. We're back season
twenty twenty five. Hello out there, It's been a minute,
hasn't it. Look I've been quite busy with some other
projects that have finally finished, finally done, and now we
can get excited for the run home for season twenty
(00:45):
twenty five. Look where we are, peopaul. How great is
it to be alive? How great is it to be
a Camber Raider supporter? Absolutely flying at the moment and
with Origin just about to finish up, we're going to
have a run home which could put us into the
top four home final. But people are already starting to
(01:06):
tick over the drawer and think, wow, win win, win win.
But just take one week at a time. Let's pull
the old cliches out, but let's enjoy one week at
a time. It's been an absolute party this year. Let's
keep the party going, of course, just finishing up Pappa's
three nineteenth not that long ago, the emotion coming out
(01:29):
of that. Let's just keep the highs flying and just
enjoy the podcast is back rated. Nickodknight is back talking
to the greatness of the Canberraders, past president, future. Let's
just get straight into this one. The return episode, I
catch up with Zach Hoskin, who's about to resign and
(01:51):
extend his time in the Canberraiders. We talk about his
time in Canberra so far, the highs of this year
and what's changed to get here. We talk about Jed
Stewart about to make his debut, the fourth father son
combination for the Canberraders and quite a significant one. Also
(02:11):
talk about the qualities that he saw at Penrith, which
were premiership winning qualities and the similarities in what's developing
here at the Canberraders. Sit back and relax and enjoy
a Raider Nick at Night. Zach Hoskin, let's go get
it hostco how I mate. Good to catch up to
get to get your back on the airways. Mate. But
(02:32):
first of all, you mentioned the freezing cold is freezing.
We've hit that freezing period in Canberra, how you're traveling,
and now you've been here for a while before I
ask you about the footy, the lifestyle in Canberra, how
is it? And then how do you deal with his cold?
Speaker 3 (02:48):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (02:48):
I actually said, actually said last year a few times
that I was actually expecting worse. I was probably the first,
my first camera winner. Yeah, it was expecting. I don't know,
I don't know what I was expecting, but I didn't
find it too bad. But the start of this one
is hit.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
Me pretty hard. I've actually.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
Been out the golf course today and the cold wind
that came through cut straight through.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
So it's violating, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
Yeah? Yeah, yeah, but that's just the way it is here.
Speaker 4 (03:22):
And you would you dress up, you know, appropriately to
the weather and you warm your house up.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
It's cozy though, and I mean you're right, it's a
little bit colder than last year. But we got an
extended period after a day of some really nice days,
so we're kind of paying back that debt.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
Now, Yeah, I.
Speaker 4 (03:42):
Was actually, Yeah, I'll say that because you know, all
the locals here say, you know, exact the time it changes,
But we actually, like you said, we've got a few
more weeks out of it.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Yeah, it's good.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
Hopefully it all balances out, mate. I was fortunate enough.
I want to ask you about the whole puppa day
a few weeks. That was the last time we played
before we move into next week with another deputante, which
is I can't wait to talk to you about. But
I met your old man and your brother and then
the shed. It was a bit of a who's who
everyone got amongst the day. It was great to see
a lot of the old boys that I hadn't seen
in a while, to see a Soliola's, the Michael Oldfields,
(04:17):
the the the tiny Milfords of the world. It was
great to catch up with them. But had a great
had a great chat with your old man.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
Yeah, he's yeah, it was.
Speaker 4 (04:28):
It was a very very special day and so we
Chris actually made a really good point just before we
ran out that we none of us will probably play
in the game with that sort of milestone over again.
So you know, it was a great reminder that, you know,
to do everything can to get the win for Papa,
and obviously his performance and the team's performance speaks for itself.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
On that day.
Speaker 4 (04:52):
You know, Papa's two tries kicked his own goal, slotted it.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
The crowd turned up in numbers. It was freezing. The
atmosphere was unreal and it was a great day to
be a part of.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
It was freezing, it was raining, It was pretty much
all the worst possible conditions, but they just took a
took a side seat to the game in itself. Do
you feel something out there when you've played in some
games You've obviously you've played in a successful unit with
your previous club where you've got these stars like you
(05:24):
would have been involved with, like the Clearies and the
lue Eyes and and that kind of that. That that
Penrith Spine that were just class that the Zas and
all those guys, and you're probably sitting here thinking, wow,
there's magic going on on the field at the moment.
There was a magic that Sunday afternoon, wasn't there.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
Yeah? Absolutely.
Speaker 4 (05:45):
Actually, when my partner called me, she was away for
that game, but I spoke to her after the game
and I said, well, that's probably my favorite Aneral game
I've played in. Was right up there with my debut
up in Brisbane. Was just Yeah, it was just a
special feeling all day and I think the way we
won as well. Is pretty it's pretty consistent with the
(06:08):
way we've been winning throughout the whole year as well,
with being behind early and then showing a lot of
character and coming back late. Just sort of fit the
whole script of the day. And yeah, I wouldn't have
have wanted it any other way, to be.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Honest, knowing Papa, he would have not made it about himself.
He would have deflected every opportunity to do so, and
to make it about the win, and obviously make it
about Maddy T's one hundredth and let's just say Big
Red's unofficial hundred. He'll get there in a couple of
weeks for Raiders' caps. But did you guys get behind
his back to make it about him with the conversations,
(06:43):
surely there would have been.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
Yeah, there were definitely definitely conversations during the during the
week and even the week before, Like once he got
through the Rooster's game where he equaled Tutz's record, it
was sort of you know, this week's going to be
the week that he breaks the record, and there was
a lot of emotion throughout the week with his jersey
(07:05):
presentation was done by the previous record Hodder and Jackie Croker,
and he got quite emotional when he was presenting.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Uh he's Papa earlier in the week and.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Which I've never seen before, No known, I've known it's
seen you for a long time. And he's just a
knocker and we all know he's a knock around kind
of bloke and just a really cool guy and loves
loves to celebrate, but you know, loves to be serious.
But I've never seen him in tears like that, and
it was just, it was it was just quite I
fell off my chair to see. Wow, how much it
(07:37):
meant to him and how much of this is generating
amongst the club but also the past guys as well.
Speaker 4 (07:44):
Yeah, totally, And it's that's just a feeling around here
at the moment, like everyone cares so much, and you know,
for someone like Papa, who is probably the most loved
per some player within the club and throughout the NRL
as well, not just you're in Canberrall like he's a
very love character and like you said, he's he wouldn't
(08:05):
have made that about himself and if he was the
only one that knew, we probably wouldn't have told anyone
that he who made that record that's the sort of
guy he is, and I love playing with him.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Is he one of your favorites? Are you playing with?
Speaker 3 (08:19):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (08:19):
Absolutely, I'm not a courage I don't have to say
fits I'm not allowed to. I'd have to say that
I don't know Farius, but he's definitely up there.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Yeah. What have you learned from him? Just in his presence,
Like you've you've come to the club a couple of years,
you've got to really bunk in with him now, specially
in that forward pack. What have you learned from him?
And Papa's the kind of guy where he won't sit
there and teach her. Just his presence just illuminates all
kinds of knowledge, doesn't it, Not just about football but
(08:48):
about life as well, it isn't he?
Speaker 3 (08:50):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (08:51):
Absolutely, Like he's he's a that he's the word sort
of aura now and he's just got that aura that
sort of floats around Hi wherever he goes.
Speaker 3 (08:59):
And some that I've learned from him.
Speaker 4 (09:01):
Like now that I've sort of I've moved into that
sort of leadership sort of space within the club, I.
Speaker 3 (09:08):
Know, I know how he checks him with some of
the younger.
Speaker 4 (09:11):
Guys away from away from the training field and sends
in texts and stuff like that.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
And that's something that.
Speaker 4 (09:20):
I found out about him recently that he does, And yeah,
I really admire that about him because if I was
a young guy receiving that sort of message from him,
I'll be pretty toughed. Or even if it's something that,
you know, something that needed fixing come from someone like him,
I'd absolutely do that. So that's something that you know,
(09:42):
he's a guy that when he speaks, everyone listens, you know.
Speaker 2 (09:46):
So yeah, totally. And he's been there, you know, like
he was the kid from Point zand probably getting homesick
and he had to deal with that. You know, he's
been very vocal and very you know, it meets to
some of the eras that he made in his career
as well, and that he's learned from that. And you
don't judge him on that because he's such a beautiful character.
(10:08):
And when it comes to advice, he's just the man
because he's done done at all. He's made a little mistakes,
he's all mopped all that stuff up, but he's just
achieved so much and he's just a wonderful commodity, not
to the Raiders but to the NRL and that's why
it was pretty much a spotlight. It was on him
from the whole round, which was great.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
Yeah, no, it was good.
Speaker 4 (10:30):
And to be honest, he spent the whole time thanking
everyone else, which is you know, just shows his character
as well.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
We're just talking to Tony Milford have mentioned here he
jumped on a plane and brought his whole family down
back to Canberra from Brisbane. That just shows that Papa's
worthy of doing that. To stop your plans. He still plays,
you know Q Cup as well, he plays for Logan,
so he's still got football. On the weekend, he packed
up his family and they spent the weekend in Canberra
(10:59):
to sell at Papa. You know, Michael Oldfield sees solely
all of these other guys that were around as well.
That's you know, that's that was Papa worthy. And you
saw on his three hundredths we had pretty much triple.
We had you know, we had Jack White and come down,
I've got another club now. We had you know, Josh Hodson,
all those players, Blaky Austin, they all came down for Papa.
(11:21):
And it wasn't when you hear about Papa, it's not
it's not why it's when yeah, exactly, wonderful mate. I
just got to ask, and I've had some good conversations
amongst the playing group about this year. What do you
put your finger on it? Now? I will say we
are flying, and I mean that in regards to when
(11:44):
you go through the big preseason and you kind of
look ahead a little bit and say, Okay, where do
we want to be? What can this year look like
for us? After the half year mark, we are sitting
equal first, if you will second, a wonderful start to
the season. How are you feeling? I asked Ricky how
he felt about this personally, and he I could sell
(12:07):
he's doing cartloels in his head. How are you feeling, Hostco.
Speaker 3 (12:13):
I'm feeling I'm feeling great. I feel like we've we've.
Speaker 4 (12:18):
We've done a really good job to put ourselves in
this position for this period of the of the year,
especially with all that travel behind us.
Speaker 3 (12:28):
I'm sure it's sticky.
Speaker 4 (12:29):
You might have brought it off, you know, Las Vegas
just as kick off. We've been a Brisbane, Townsville, Darwin,
Gold Coast a few times, we've been in New Zealand,
like all within the first half of the season, we
have no buyers in between all that and.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
The only team.
Speaker 3 (12:47):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:48):
When I saw Sticky that day, he looked exhausted and
he was fluy. And it wasn't cold flu, it was
rundown flu. And I saw Taps the next day with
his family and boys haven't really been postgame interviews with
TRIPLEM and whatnot that I do with you boys, And
it was more like, it's not really fatigue. Some people
(13:08):
like Taps that have young families, they miss their kids
because of all the travel, and can that can break you,
you know, especially on the road. Yeah, but you just
bound together and it was just and this is this
is the total honesty. And this was myself included and
speaking to people from the club. And it wasn't negative
thinking it was like out of care for you boys.
(13:30):
It was thinking, Jesus going to take a big effort
to go to New Zealand and beat the Warriors. From
all the travel, we can we can actually have some
lattitude to the boys, the boys can you know, we're
probably happy if the boys don't get the w you know,
because of the travel, as long as we compete, you know,
and then even against the roosters. But you boys have
been surprising us. You just keep finding more, and like
(13:53):
I said, it's not a negative thing, it's just like
a really realistic thing because out of care and how
to laugh, we can we can live with the if
we don't go to New Zealand and don't get the
two points against the Warriors. Warriors are probably the team
for them as well. But to go out there and
to play so physical and go up another level and
just to keep finding these extra gears what's been most
impressive hist goes. He has been finding these extra ways
(14:14):
to win, putting teams to the sword, these grinds against
these big teams, coming from behind so many times, all
these different gears yous have got.
Speaker 4 (14:22):
Now, Yeah, and that's just that's the growth that we've
spoken about within within the group.
Speaker 3 (14:28):
You know, when when we are down on.
Speaker 4 (14:30):
The scoreboard, it's when a trop goes in in recent time,
in recent years, it's those tries have compounded from the
other team.
Speaker 3 (14:38):
And now we've we've we don't panic.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
We've got our processes that we've figured out and we've
shown that if we go back there and stick to it,
we can we can win those games when we're behind
and we're not we don't want to be in those positions,
but sometimes that's just the way it is.
Speaker 3 (14:54):
It's how it works out.
Speaker 4 (14:55):
You know, the bounce to the ball that might not
go away, that for the first a game. And yeah,
I think that growth that we've showed and being able
to fight our way back into games is a massive
sort of string to your bow. If you're a team
that can do that, we get through those tough periods.
And I guess having those games this year that it
(15:20):
has happened, it will help us later in the year
if semi fall time, because that's when the score boards
much closer, and we know we can edge teams out
if we stick to what we do well.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
You've had You've had finals type of games all years
so far. Like and I go back to the Dolphins game,
that felt like a finals kind of game to form teams.
You know, the expert commentators that I was dealing with
in the Sydney Triple en call I we're talking about
it has semi final feel. Obviously, the Warriors game. I
mentioned that the Bulldogs game, we didn't get the W
(15:53):
but it was you know, we we we kind of
Jesus we hadn't beat at halftime and then you talk
about these other games where roosters were coming at us,
you know, the Sharks, the storm. How could we forget
the storm at Magic Round up there in those conditions
and they had to skip away on us as well.
Just it's been outstanding. What's the difference A couple of
(16:15):
the boys have said their pieces, But what's the difference
you've found amongst the group on the field around the
place that's different to last year, previous years since you've
been here.
Speaker 3 (16:29):
Yeah, I don't know. It's hard to put your finger
on exactly the one thing that it is. But if
I had to say, if I had to say anything,
I think we're going to give.
Speaker 4 (16:40):
Our coaches a lot of credit in the clarity that
we have for all the different systems that we have,
whether that's right from you know, an attacking system, what
we do when we get to this spot defensive system,
what we do if this happens, you know, I mean,
all our processes and things when we stick to it
(17:03):
do really well.
Speaker 3 (17:03):
Which sounds very generic, but.
Speaker 4 (17:05):
It's also you know, when we score a try, we
have a process of what we do before the kickoff.
When they score a try, we have our training week
is very consistent, as in the sessions are you know,
two days out from a game of Captain Drun whatever.
Those days look the same every week, depending which which
(17:28):
training date is. So there's consistency and everything that we're doing,
and that's just flowing straight into our results at the moment.
Speaker 3 (17:36):
I think a lot.
Speaker 4 (17:37):
Of the boys would say that that summer that we
had the pre season was one of the hardest a
lot of us have done, as.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
In the fitness as in the fitness.
Speaker 4 (17:46):
Aspect, fitness aspect, yeah, yeah, yeah, and even you know,
the whole.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
Thing even hard.
Speaker 4 (17:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
I wasn't here when he was here, but I've heard
some stories.
Speaker 4 (18:02):
But yeah, I think also not to mention some of
the players that we've brought in, like I've been extremely
impressed by sav Sevilio Tamala.
Speaker 3 (18:14):
Who is now.
Speaker 4 (18:17):
Injured his knee, which presents a great opportunity for some
like Jeddy, which I'm sure I'll ask about, but you know,
sound like him, who's who's really really stepped up this year.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
I think what I've noticed too, and seeing this group
pretty much you know, this this mob, this core of
this roster now hostco which that you've added to in
the last couple of years. You mentioned that it appears
to me that the game plans and the systems have
been simplified a little bit. It's simplified and given you
the space now for all the individuals in that team
(18:53):
to really bring their talent come forward. Because he's a
very well old at the moment. We've seen Ethan Strangey,
how he's just come out of his shell now and
really blossomed as a first grade footballer. What he's doing
there at six. You know, Maddie t and Zebe that
you mentioned outstanding talents. You know obviously Matti Te's international
that will be the first to two as well. They
(19:13):
probably didn't have the season that they wanted to have
last season, but they've really stepped up this year. Look
at Kaio at the back there, he's probably one of
our main sources of attack. You mentioned to Marley Xavier
Savage made his dead sit knocking on the door for
a Queen's opportunity in the next couple of years. I'm
sure it will come. Mate. We've got the best four
back in the competition. And I say that with then,
(19:36):
with or without green Eyes. And it's like the simplicity
of the game plan now is allowing the brilliance of
everyone to really shine forward, not just individually but obviously
as a team collectively. Look at Red Redsbury outstanding at
the start, Taps is always playing his wonderful role and
without embarrassing yourself, mate, you're punching out nearly eighty minutes.
Speaker 3 (19:55):
Mate, Yeah, yeah, I think.
Speaker 4 (19:59):
And as you go through that, you know everyone just
everyone's just pulling their weight. You know, no one's it's
not like a relying on a superstar to get us
out of trouble or Winn's games points on the scoreboard.
Speaker 3 (20:10):
You know, everyone's pulling their weight and doing their job.
Speaker 4 (20:12):
And you know it takes takes seventeen eighteen men on
the day to get you to win. And everyone's pulling
their weight at the moment. Everyone's blind into what Stick
is promoting. And like you said, the simpler, the simpler
game plan, they're easier it is to execute. And just
the other thing I think as well, to answer your
(20:34):
question before, was because of all the travel and stuff
we've had, that means it's it's made us spend a
lot of time together, a lot of down time together, traveling,
playing cards, playing games, you know, taking taking the piss
out of each other like that creates you know so much, Yeah, exactly,
(20:55):
And they're the players that you want to play for
a lot of players you're going to make an extra
effort for. And you know that's I think that's another
reason why less of the closest group this group's ever been.
Speaker 2 (21:10):
That's the thing about the Raiders is the fact that Okay,
there's there's not huge amounts of activities to do in
Canbra as a town, especially during the cold winter, so
that just leaves so basically, someone living in Canberra, you
kind of rely on your mates to do for entertainment
(21:32):
and to stimulation. You know, you guys love going to golf,
you go the movies and he's been away a lot.
The Raiders are one of the most harmonious themes in
the competition. And I talk about that because I know
a lot of the boys that have left the club
and for whatever reason and they've gone to other clubs
and now finished, and they always talk about how the
Raiders they missed the Raiders, they should have left Canberra
(21:53):
because the Raiders are were the most It was such
so family orientated and it was like this brotherhood. Yeah,
it's different in Sydney. You've got guys living all over
Sydney that come together, whereas you all live about ten
fifteen minutes a way. But there's something special that creates
here when you start winning. It's hard to break.
Speaker 3 (22:12):
Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 4 (22:13):
You know, I've had a similar conversation.
Speaker 3 (22:15):
With someone earlier in the week.
Speaker 4 (22:16):
You know, the winning the winning winning games solves a
lot of solves a lot of problems and.
Speaker 3 (22:23):
Makes for a very happier environment.
Speaker 4 (22:25):
Like it's you know, we all love bouncing into the
building at the moment because we just love each other's
company and we we're loving the work that we're doing.
We're training, we're training the house down up. Our sessions
are you know, twice as intense as they've been before
and we're getting so much more.
Speaker 3 (22:42):
Out of them.
Speaker 4 (22:42):
And that's that's driven a lot by you know, leaders
within the club, but also the coaches, and like I
said before, the coaches.
Speaker 3 (22:50):
Is have a massive wrap for the way they have
structured our weeks.
Speaker 2 (22:57):
Does winning become a habit? Is it a habit? Is
it a feeling that you're chase even if you're down.
Is it like I don't want to get that feeling again?
Chasing the feeling or you're chasing the two points or both.
Speaker 3 (23:10):
Yeah, definitely definitely chasing both.
Speaker 4 (23:14):
Yeah, I do believe winning is a habit, you know,
it's a good habit to have.
Speaker 3 (23:20):
I think also losing it as well, so been on
the right side of that.
Speaker 4 (23:25):
It's obviously the way you want to go and the
habits that you create during the week at training, when
you're traveling. Like I was talking about the fall, all
of processes, they all contribute to that result. And we
don't we're not looking too far ahead. We are aware that,
you know where that people are starting to talk about.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
Our run home and.
Speaker 4 (23:48):
And that's it looks like a looks like a pretty
pretty nice done home. But they're the danger games that
crap up on you, and they're the games that.
Speaker 3 (24:00):
We need to win.
Speaker 2 (24:02):
And the coaches, a new part of the leadership group there,
want to allow any complacency or any funny thoughts about
that because it is the NRL and unfortunately this game
it can go. It can go. Bottom is up and
all it takes is a couple of injuries. We've already
lost sav which is heartbreaking for him but also heartbreaking
(24:22):
for us, but which leads me to ask for this
week now. I chatted to him after the last game
and obviously the cut the new souths Cup team played
after first grade. Very strange, how that does that? That's
the TV the TV stuff. Jad Stewart, wonderful kid. I've
(24:44):
seen the kid go up since he was since he
was literally a kid, and now he's running around, you know,
playing playing grade for the Raiders and jud to circumstances,
debuts and becomes the fourth father son combination at this club.
But what a significant one.
Speaker 4 (25:01):
Yeah, it was probably the one of the most significant,
you know, in the in the game's issue, given how
how much Ricky Stewart's made an impact on rugby league
and for his son to d big debuting under him
is a massive moment in the game's history.
Speaker 3 (25:20):
And it's a It's a debut that's very well deserved
as well.
Speaker 4 (25:23):
It's Sticky was actually quite hesitant on making the call
and he sort of he didn't really make it.
Speaker 3 (25:31):
To be honest, He left it up to to Taps
and Papa.
Speaker 4 (25:38):
And a few of us other guys had spoken about
it as well, because we knew someone had to take
that spot. Sord was going to be out for a
few months, so I think I think Sticky probably knew
it was the right call, but just I think him
being if he wasn't his son, he probably would have
made it pretty.
Speaker 3 (25:56):
Easily, but naturally it was.
Speaker 4 (26:00):
It was a tougher for him to do and I
think once he had that validation from somebody sending members,
it was a much bigger relief for him. And I
think he let Tat to make the call to him,
which was pretty cool.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
That's what's so appealing about this now, is that that
kind of awkward situation there is. Ricky's handed it over
to other coaches and the senior leadership boys to make
the decision. The decision has been made, and if there's
anyone that needs someone to help him guide him through
(26:35):
the weekend getting ready for this game, it's it's his
dad and his coach.
Speaker 4 (26:42):
Yeah well yeah yeah, And to be honest, we had
his you know, every time there's a debut at this club,
the club put on a big lunch for all the
footy staff and all the players from the whole squad,
which I think is an unreal that they do.
Speaker 3 (27:01):
But Sticky stayed well, he was obviously there, but he
didn't get near a microphone. He left it up to Uh,
Sticky left it up to his dad and his wife.
Speaker 2 (27:12):
Yeah, I saw that. That was emotional in itself.
Speaker 4 (27:15):
Yeah, and he's and his brother, his brother who presented
his jersey in the end, and that was pretty cool,
pretty cool things. So you can tell he's he's keeping
his distance from it, but at the same time he'd
be absolutely loving it.
Speaker 3 (27:29):
He'd also probably be very nervous about the whole thing too.
Speaker 2 (27:34):
Well, that's Ricky's just such a genuine cat, you know,
And I love how he just gets so emotional talking
about you boys. He loves you boys like he loves
his own kids.
Speaker 3 (27:44):
You know.
Speaker 2 (27:45):
He gets emotional about you guys when he talks. Yeah,
he talks, he talks about you. He loves you boys
like you you're you're his own kids. And that's why
he's going to be an absolute emotional wreck on Friday
because one of his boys is actually playing for the club.
So it's just it's going to be interesting to see
how Sticky deals with it. And it's just going to
(28:05):
be pure emotion, which is what I love because we're
all cut like that, we're all raiders people, we're all
emotional passionate people. Now we just can't see how it unfolds.
How is it? How has it been? How's it been
with all this going on this week?
Speaker 3 (28:20):
Well, to be honest, we've only had the one session.
Speaker 4 (28:22):
We're back in tomorrow, but I think it got sort
of sort of got leaked, I think before we went
in yesterday for training, and.
Speaker 3 (28:33):
You know, everyone just wrapped for him.
Speaker 4 (28:35):
Everyone knows he's so deserving of this opportunity, and it's
it's a great opportunity because Sad is going to be
out for a few months and Jenny's got the chance
to make that spot his own for a while and
really establish himself and get some NRL under his belt.
Speaker 3 (28:53):
And we're all really back him.
Speaker 4 (28:56):
A few of us have been calling in the Velcrow
because everything he every decision to make here, he Tackley
goes in there.
Speaker 3 (29:02):
He sticks to it on the wing there, so it's
it's plus his hair looks like bel Crow.
Speaker 2 (29:10):
He's on stilts to if he if Jamma can put
a few high balls in his corner mate, he's he's
gonna be hard to hard to stop.
Speaker 4 (29:18):
Yeah, he's certainly a kicking target. He's taller than me.
He's leaning but he's he's a hard worker. He'll he'll
he'll put his body on the line for everyone, and
that's what we love about him.
Speaker 2 (29:32):
It's great and he's in great hands obviously with his
old man there and his coach, but obviously you boys
around him, we're getting ready and get him confident. And
he's just a lovely guy, just a lovely kid. It's
almost he's his own character too. He's not. He's not
like a you don't really see him as sticky son.
You just see him as chat That's what's so great
about it too.
Speaker 4 (29:53):
Yeah, he's actually quite a funny character. He's he's got
to be he's got to be a lip to him,
which I like, he's pretty funny that in that regard.
But he's got that from his father too.
Speaker 2 (30:07):
Great. How's it been there before I let you go
and rest art for the big one on Friday? How's
the break been?
Speaker 3 (30:14):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (30:14):
Break that momentum and all of a sudden boom. I
mean that's a slog. That would have been such a
big slog to achieve what you guys have achieved and
again beating quality of opposition in tough circumstances, but just
to keep winning how's the stopping play being for you?
Speaker 3 (30:32):
Yeah, it was. It was.
Speaker 4 (30:33):
It was good timing, to be honest, like, we're really
proud of the way we started. Like I said before,
but it was good timing. A lot of us got
a way to Sitty and some of us went back home.
I went back home to Newcastle for five days. It
was great to reconnect with my family and friends. But
we also made a point of when we when we
did come back to training yesterday, we got together and
we had a really.
Speaker 3 (30:55):
Good chat about not letting that break.
Speaker 4 (31:00):
At the start of our week and ruin our preparations
because we've had a few days off and the club
are really good to give us that time off, but
now we've got to repay them with another good week.
And then we went out we had a really good
training session, So we need to do that again tomorrow
and for the rest of the week leading into the
game and especially we've got another milestone and we're going
to win.
Speaker 2 (31:19):
For Jetty Hosco, you were at Penrith and you know
what it's like for a DNA and what a club
looks like to win a premiership, and it includes the
habits on the field, off the field, the competing at
every play, the competing in the eightieth minute compared to
(31:39):
what you know, what it's like to be in a
winning formula. Are you seeing some marry some marriage, some
marrying up here sub merging and what you're seeing now
the Raiders.
Speaker 3 (31:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (31:50):
Absolutely. We've actually made a massive point on in our
reviews of all the what we call Dean Lance contributions.
Who's obviously the next player who And he was a
player that basically was extremely selfless on the field. He
did a lot of things that you never see on
the stat sheet, and we do we start that within
(32:13):
our building. We like we like to give credit to
the boys and highlight some of the massive efforts that
they've done that week during the game where it might
not have been noticed by people in the grand stand,
but it made a massive difference because of this reason.
And that's I think been way more promoted this year
(32:33):
at this club. And you don't want to be you
don't want to be coming into review and you're the
guy that didn't make that effort when you could have,
or or you want to be the guy that does
get the rap for doing something that has helped everyone else.
And I think that's been a massive help, and I
think it's such a good thing to highlight to all
(32:53):
the players that you know, it's not really scored on
the tries or put on the big hits.
Speaker 3 (32:59):
That is wanted.
Speaker 4 (33:03):
It's obviously wanted, but it's held in much high regard.
That's just as I regard as someone who's doing such
a small effort that all adds up the one percent
as everyone talks about, well, and then the things that
that Penrith like you're asking, that's what that's What's something
that they were really really good at, And I think, yeah,
(33:25):
the club has done such a good job of making
that a priority this year.
Speaker 2 (33:29):
And the beauty of that is, you boys haven't changed.
Jesus to me, he's exactly the same as you were
last year at the start of the year with all
this Sydney hype. Now when everyone's talking about the Raiders. Now,
finally it takes us to do this to actually get
on the map in the big leagues. But the fact
(33:50):
that there's this talk about the Raiders now in our
all three sixty, it's always at the start and it's
kind of on the radar. Now, you guys haven't changed
the boot mate, and that's what's so.
Speaker 4 (34:01):
Yeah, but I think we've got a coach and won't
let us get ahead of ourselves.
Speaker 2 (34:06):
So that's also too though. You know, it's also you
guys as well, and that's why I'm quite confident going
into this second phase of the season, to the post
origin part, the run home to the finals, which people
have been mate, people bail me up and say, oh mate,
we're going to get minor premiers. Mate, We've got We've
(34:27):
got a soft draw. I got a soft draw. Its
like just week two week, guys, just week to week,
rite it. Just enjoy each week and write it out.
And I just know the boys aren't getting ahead of
themselves because they've got they're all good boys. They're all
level headed to begin with, and the coaches wiren't allow
that and there's trust in there and it's going to
be a wonderful ride whatever happens. But it's been a
(34:49):
beautiful ride so far. Hostco and mate, good to talk
to you again. And I didn't know you had a brother, mate,
good blake your brother.
Speaker 4 (34:57):
Yeah, well one was the postman's kid, because I'm go,
I'm sure you would have saw it. We don't look
anything alike and he looks much small wild man than
I do.
Speaker 2 (35:07):
It's me, it's good in your old man, mate. He's
he's he's a manly boy and he gets invited to
Newcastle boxes. Mate. But it's a bit of a little
bit of green starting to bleed in that blood, mate.
Speaker 4 (35:19):
Yeah, yeah, tried to transition him. Although if you did,
verse merely wouldn't be surprised if he come over with
his manly shirt on.
Speaker 3 (35:27):
But I think he's pumping yeah, yeah, he's pumping green.
Speaker 2 (35:32):
Now all rightsco good luck. I'll see you around, mate,
But good luck against the tigers and let's get home.
Speaker 3 (35:37):
For jet mate, Yeah, let's do it. Cheers, see you mate,
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